WeatherWatcher: Winter storm warning Tuesday

Current conditions January 17, 2012, at 9:48am:

• Temperature: 32.2ºF
• Snow depth: 0.5 inches. (Trace)
• Humidity: 100%
• Barometer: 29.294 in Hg, trend: steady
• Weather: Overcast, light snow.

National Weather Service of Seattle has upgraded the winter storm watch to a winter storm warning for the greater Seattle area, including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, as of 5am Tuesday morning, January 17, 2012.

• A winter weather advisory is currently in effect until 4pm this afternoon.
• A winter storm warning has been issued for tonight at Midnight PST until Wednesday night.

Winter weather advisory today: Snow accumulations of another 1-2 inches is possible in showers.

Winter storm warning late tonight - Thursday morning or so: A strong Pacific storm is moving by just to the south of us Tuesday night and throughout Wednesday and Thursday. The storm is now tracking far enough south that the changeover to rain may not happen until Thursday afternoon, or maybe even later, or not at all. Forecast models are having many inconsistencies with the temperatures during this coming storm.

Bottom line:

• 1-3 inches total today until after 4pm.
• Tonight snow will be on the increase around Midnight.
• 5-10 inches of new snow Wednesday, and some areas may get more.
• With snow this heavy, power outages are possible, and hazardous travel conditions will be present. 

Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing until sometime on Thursday, meaning that water on the roadways now will start to freeze. Check for school closures as well tomorrow. I suspect the Shoreline Public School district will be closed. Please don't drive tomorrow unless you have to, stay safe, and keep warm!

Shoreline Weather Station